Come to Stratford Methodist Church on June 22nd, between 10 am and 4 pm for a climate action day. This event has been organised by representatives of the Methodist Eco Congregation, Stratford Friends of the Earth, and the Stratford Quakers, in response to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published in October, which made clear just how urgent it now is that we take rapid and wide-reaching action to reduce our carbon usage. The event aims to inform people about this need, and about the resources available for us in trying to make these transitions, both as individuals and as a community.

There will be an all-day exhibition, with stalls provided by around 30 campaign groups, charities, and eco-businesses, providing demonstrations and information on all aspects of sustainable living. Stalls will cover issues including food, green energy, eco gardening, eco houses, electric cars, green energy, green technology, permaculture, rubbish and waste.

A keynote lecture will be delivered at 11.00 by Dr Lisa Schipper, “Climate Change: Why We Can Still Do Something”. Dr Schipper is from the Oxford Environmental Change Institute, and a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The event will be formally opened by the mayor of Stratford, Councillor Kate Rolfe.

There will be further talks, at 12:15 by Ruth Dixon, on “Reducing Waste in Stratford”, and at 13:45 by Richard Milward of Act on Energy, on “Saving Energy in the Home”, which will provide further information about how we can cut carbon emissions in our own lives. A workshop at 2:45 in the afternoon, “Making Stratford Greener”, in which everyone will be able to contribute to the discussion about how Stratford could be a more sustainable, healthier environment.

Food will be provided by Plantarium, Stratford’s own vegan café.

Stratford Methodist Church is active in environmental campaigning within and outside of the churches. The church building is an award winning example of how public buildings can reduce their carbon footprint. Come and visit to learn more.